From stark poetry to rugged hip-hop and more.
Irish identity is up for grabs.
St Patricks Day emphasises the island s global reach, the manner in which the diaspora has survived and thrives in corners around the world.
Yet Irishness has become increasingly hard to define, with new generations, political developments, and increased immigration causing the country to take a step back, and look at itself once more.
The process has been mirrored and enhanced in the country s complex network of music communities. Simply put: Irish music is thriving, but there s no one defining sound or idea. Indeed, diversity is its strength, whether that s the rollicking post-punk of
Credit: Paula Trojner
In the space of two gripping neo-noir singles, Kynsy has brewed up the perfect storm of youthful unease. Exploring topics of a long term relationship coming to an end with âHappiness Isnât A Fixed Stateâ right through to disturbing characters met on nights out with âCold Blue Lightâ. Itâs been a masterclass of channelling angst into disarming indie for a new generation.
Like everyone else with plans flipped upside-down around the pandemic, her debut EP âThings That Donât Existâ probably should have arrived much earlier than now, greeted with heaving club shows and festival stages to boot. But she isnât going to delay any longer and why the hell not? As well as offering the time to absorb any personal concerns, the last six months have seen 23-year old Ciara Lindsey hone every note on this release, making for a soaring first statement.
Patrick Clarke
, January 29th, 2021 12:00
The new year brings a continuation of old miseries, but a resurgence of extraordinarily good music. Here s our guide to the best albums and tracks of a particularly strong month
I m not sure why, but in a year so far as disastrous as the last, in which musicians fortunes continue to plummet to the point that total collapse looms as a real possibility, the art they ve been releasing sounds stronger than ever.
From Sleaford Mods blistering career-best new album, to anti-colonialist duo Divide And Dissolve s unbelievably powerful cascades of crushing doom, to The Body s latest head-melting extremity, music has provided plenty of necessary catharsis.